After two months of interrupted exports, Kenya has resumed regular chili exports to the EU. The stop followed the interception of chillis in July that didn’t meet the union’s stringent phytosanitary standards. According to Kenya Plants Health Inspectorate Service (Kephis) Managing Director Theophilus Mutui, there have been no further interventions, and the country is working with the EU to establish clear export standards.
In an attempt to avert future interventions, the European body has donated lab testing equipment worth Sh3.1 million. According to the EU’s Manager for Finance and Private Sector Development in Kenya, Adolfo Cires, the Certified Reference Materials (CRMs)– calibrated to EU standards– will allow Kenya to meet Global Good Agricultural Practices (Global GAP) systems on the pesticide residue levels and meet the EU regulations.
Source: farmersreviewafrica.com